The Challenge Factory discussion

When I used to set up the TCF Monthly, I would always try to add in tasks to honor one of that month's symbols. I started thinking about doing a challenge based around just those symbols, and this is the fruit of that pondering!

How It Works:
★This will be a mix and match challenge, so pick your level, then pick your books.
★ There will be a list of symbols with prompts posted along with a list for spell outs. Your challenge is to complete as many or as few of them as you can in the given month.
★Spell out one or both of the listed words using Title (First letter of first word in the title only, but check the Do Not Count list below for exceptions!), Author Name (First and last only, no middle initials or names (unless noted)!), or Series Name (First letter of first word in the series name only, but check the Do Not Count list below for exceptions!). If using series name, be sure to add it next to your entry!! (Example: S-Loving Irish (The Summerhaven Trio #3) by Katy Regnery)
★When using titles for letters, the words A, And, An, and The do not count.
★NO DUPLICATING BOOK OR TASK ENTRIES!! Books and Tasks are only to be used/listed/completed once! An example of this would be reading a book published in January 2014 for the "Read a book published in January (any year)" task, and then reading another book, this one published in January 2016, justifying it by saying that the books were published in two separate years. Once you complete the "Read a book published in January (any year)" task, it can't be completed a second time to count for completion.
★Books must be read from May 1st to May 31st
★Re-reads are allowed, but all books must be at least 30 pages in length!
★You CAN change your Books at any time during the challenge.

Some Info to Keep In Mind:
♦Keep your original post updated and give a shout out in the thread when you're all done! Please do not make a separate post with your finished challenge, edit your original comment! This is so I can keep accurate track of participation. You can make an announcement post like "Finished in comment #2!", so I know where to find your completed challenge to congratulate you! Duplicate posts will be deleted!
♦Mark books as finished by adding the date finished next to the book listed and either striking them out using the "< s> < /s>" HTML commands (without the spaces) or by copying and pasting a checkmark: ✔ ✓
♦Add a tally of completed books to your Original Post= 0/5 completed!

See my post for examples and if you have questions, PLEASE ask me here, or PM me!

Information credits: https://www.buildingbeautifulsouls.co... and https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnanc...

Levels:
Easy: 1 symbol completed
Medium: 2-4 symbols completed
Hard: 5-7 symbols completed
Challenging: 8-9 symbols completed
On Fire: All symbols completed

May Symbols:
Naming: Its name derives from the Latin term Maia who was the Goddess of Spring in Italy, and later married Vulcan. Her Roman counterpart was Bon Dea, associated with fertility. Her festival was held annually in May. Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.

Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus until May 20-The Bull (The Taurus sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the head of the Bull.): Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living Gemini from May 21-The Twins (The Gemini sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the Roman numeral II to represent duality.): Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow

Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Emerald is the traditional birthstone for May and it is sacred to Venus, the Goddess of love, fertility and success. Wearing Emerald inspires hope in the weary heart and acts like a mental tonic. Agate is one of the earliest stones used as a talisman or amulet. It protects the bearer and gives them strength. If you have night terrors, place an Agate under your pillow. Babylonians used Agate to stave off storms. Light Workers tell us that Agate helps us process our feelings more effectively. Agate occurs in a wide range of colors, which include brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, and yellow. The colors are caused by impurities and occur as alternating bands within the agate. Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover, a book with a storm or a character has a nightmare, or a book where a character is strong or holds out hope for something.

Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn The birth flower for May is Lily of the Valley also known as the Mayflower. In the Language of Flowers it represents the return to happiness. It also denotes purity, joy, good fortune and modesty. Hawthorn has strong associations with the Beltane festival. In Celtic tradition it represents safety, balance and love. Fairies live beneath Hawthorn, whose spirit guards them dutifully. Read a book with a Lily of the Valley or a Hawthorn blossom on the cover, a book with a white, pink, or red cover, a book where a character is a virgin, or a book where a character is a bodyguard

Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees either on the cover or mentioned in the book (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!)

Color-Yellow & Green: Yellow is a very happy, warm color. It’s welcoming and cheerful. Green represents growth, newness and productivity, and is also associated with money and getting the “go ahead” (as in a green light). Green is soothing to the human soul and offers a sense of stability. Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)

Icons- Nightingale: One of the symbols for May is the Nightingale. Legend tells us that a Lily of the Valley loved a Nightingale. Night after night she listed to his song. Finally when the Nightingale became lonely and wearied of his singing alone, he asked the Lily of the Valley to raise her melodious voice every May so he could happily sing once more. Spiritually speaking, Nightingale speaks of liberation and immortality. Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely

Number: 5 In Numerology the sacred number Five is restless and doesn’t like settling down. This energetic figure is in perpetual motion, mixing up change. Working with Five vibrations means releasing constraints on your mind and spirit. If you have trouble taking risks, May is the month for that unusual leap of faith. Five is flexible, charming, forward thinking and very resourceful. When you are stuck in a rut, Five’s energy can dig you out. Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a book published in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task.

Spell Out Words: May or Five

Symbols of the Month-March Challenge
Duration: May 1st to May 31st, 2021
Level: Medium: 2-4 symbols completed
Read: 2/2

May Symbols:
Naming: Its name derives from the Latin term Maia who was the Goddess of Spring in Italy, and later married Vulcan. Her Roman counterpart was Bon Dea, associated with fertility. Her festival was held annually in May. Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.

Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus until May 20-The Bull (The Taurus sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the head of the Bull.): Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living Gemini from May 21-The Twins (The Gemini sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the Roman numeral II to represent duality.): Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow: Collateral Damage by A.K. Evans-5/25/21

Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Emerald is the traditional birthstone for May and it is sacred to Venus, the Goddess of love, fertility and success. Wearing Emerald inspires hope in the weary heart and acts like a mental tonic. Agate is one of the earliest stones used as a talisman or amulet. It protects the bearer and gives them strength. If you have night terrors, place an Agate under your pillow. Babylonians used Agate to stave off storms. Light Workers tell us that Agate helps us process our feelings more effectively. Agate occurs in a wide range of colors, which include brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, and yellow. The colors are caused by impurities and occur as alternating bands within the agate. Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover, a book with a storm or a character has a nightmare, or a book where a character is strong or holds out hope for something.

Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn The birth flower for May is Lily of the Valley also known as the Mayflower. In the Language of Flowers it represents the return to happiness. It also denotes purity, joy, good fortune and modesty. Hawthorn has strong associations with the Beltane festival. In Celtic tradition it represents safety, balance and love. Fairies live beneath Hawthorn, whose spirit guards them dutifully. Read a book with a Lily of the Valley or a Hawthorn blossom on the cover, a book with a white, pink, or red cover, a book where a character is a virgin, or a book where a character is a bodyguard

Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees either on the cover or mentioned in the book (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!)

Color-Yellow & Green: Yellow is a very happy, warm color. It’s welcoming and cheerful. Green represents growth, newness and productivity, and is also associated with money and getting the “go ahead” (as in a green light). Green is soothing to the human soul and offers a sense of stability. Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)

Icons- Nightingale: One of the symbols for May is the Nightingale. Legend tells us that a Lily of the Valley loved a Nightingale. Night after night she listed to his song. Finally when the Nightingale became lonely and wearied of his singing alone, he asked the Lily of the Valley to raise her melodious voice every May so he could happily sing once more. Spiritually speaking, Nightingale speaks of liberation and immortality. Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely

Number: 5 In Numerology the sacred number Five is restless and doesn’t like settling down. This energetic figure is in perpetual motion, mixing up change. Working with Five vibrations means releasing constraints on your mind and spirit. If you have trouble taking risks, May is the month for that unusual leap of faith. Five is flexible, charming, forward thinking and very resourceful. When you are stuck in a rut, Five’s energy can dig you out. Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a book published in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task.: Inspiring the Mountain Man: A Sweet Curvy Woman Romance by Sadie Ann and Alana Terry-5/10/21

Spell Out Words: May or Five

Symbols of the Month - May

Duration: 01 - 31 May 2021
Level: Hard (5-7 symbols)
Completed: 0/9

May Symbols:
Naming: Its name derives from the Latin term Maia who was the Goddess of Spring in Italy, and later married Vulcan. Her Roman counterpart was Bon Dea, associated with fertility. Her festival was held annually in May. Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.
The Girl In Between by Laekan Zea Kemp

Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus until May 20-The Bull (The Taurus sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the head of the Bull.): Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living Gemini from May 21-The Twins (The Gemini sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the Roman numeral II to represent duality.): Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow
Wrath of Empire by Brian McClellan

Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Emerald is the traditional birthstone for May and it is sacred to Venus, the Goddess of love, fertility and success. Wearing Emerald inspires hope in the weary heart and acts like a mental tonic. Agate is one of the earliest stones used as a talisman or amulet. It protects the bearer and gives them strength. If you have night terrors, place an Agate under your pillow. Babylonians used Agate to stave off storms. Light Workers tell us that Agate helps us process our feelings more effectively. Agate occurs in a wide range of colors, which include brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, and yellow. The colors are caused by impurities and occur as alternating bands within the agate. Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover, a book with a storm or a character has a nightmare, or a book where a character is strong or holds out hope for something.
A Single Swallow by Ling Zhang

Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn The birth flower for May is Lily of the Valley also known as the Mayflower. In the Language of Flowers it represents the return to happiness. It also denotes purity, joy, good fortune and modesty. Hawthorn has strong associations with the Beltane festival. In Celtic tradition it represents safety, balance and love. Fairies live beneath Hawthorn, whose spirit guards them dutifully. Read a book with a Lily of the Valley or a Hawthorn blossom on the cover, a book with a white, pink, or red cover, a book where a character is a virgin, or a book where a character is a bodyguard
Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA by Amaryllis Fox

Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees on the cover (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!)

Color-Yellow & Green: Yellow is a very happy, warm color. It’s welcoming and cheerful. Green represents growth, newness and productivity, and is also associated with money and getting the “go ahead” (as in a green light). Green is soothing to the human soul and offers a sense of stability. Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)
The Girl in the Tree by Şebnem İşigüzel

Icons- Nightingale: One of the symbols for May is the Nightingale. Legend tells us that a Lily of the Valley loved a Nightingale. Night after night she listed to his song. Finally when the Nightingale became lonely and wearied of his singing alone, he asked the Lily of the Valley to raise her melodious voice every May so he could happily sing once more. Spiritually speaking, Nightingale speaks of liberation and immortality. Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely

Number: 5 In Numerology the sacred number Five is restless and doesn’t like settling down. This energetic figure is in perpetual motion, mixing up change. Working with Five vibrations means releasing constraints on your mind and spirit. If you have trouble taking risks, May is the month for that unusual leap of faith. Five is flexible, charming, forward thinking and very resourceful. When you are stuck in a rut, Five’s energy can dig you out. Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a book published in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task.



Spell Out:

F: Fallen Angels by Bernard Cornwell
I: I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi
V: The Vampyre; a Tale by John William Polidori
E: Empire of Borders: The Expansion of the US Border Around the World by Todd Miller

Symbols of the Month - May 2021
Challenging: 8-9 symbols completed

May Symbols:

Naming:
*Read a book with a vegetable garden
Peaches and Screams 05/03

Zodiac:
*Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow
Can You Hula Like Hilo Hattie? 05/09

Gemstone:
**Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra 05/16

Flower:
*Read a book with a white, pink, or red cover,
The Job 05/01

Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees on the cover (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!)

Color-Yellow & Green:
*Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)
The Brim Reaper 05/12

Icons:
*Read a book where a character is lonely
The Thursday Murder Club 05/08

Number 5:
*Read a book where a character has to be flexible or charming
Come Fly the World 05/04

Spell Out Words:

M - G.A, McKevett - Death by Chocolate 05/03
A - Agatha Christie - Crooked House 05/24
Y - Debbie Young - Best Murder in Show 05/04



F - Helen Fielding - Bridget Jones's Diary 05/14
I - Ink, Red, Dead 05/17
V - Diane Vallere - Spiders from Mars 05/07
E - Elle Cosmano - Finlay Donovan is Killing It 05/11

May Symbols

✔ Naming - Maia who was the Goddess of Spring in Italy: Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover -

✔ Zodiac - Taurus: Read a book where a character raises cattle for a living - The Reluctant Cowboy

✔ Zodiac - Gemini: Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow - The Unlikeable Demon Hunter

✔ Gemstone - Emerald & Agate: Read a book a character has a nightmare - The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Need

✔ Flower - Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn: Read a book where a character is a bodyguard - Space Rodeo

✔ Color - Yellow & Green: Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade) -

✔ Icons - Nightingale: Read a book featuring a character that is a singer - The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Sting


✔ Number 5: Read a book where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk - Project Hail Mary

✔ Spell Out Words:
M - Stalking The Unicorn by Mike Resnick
A - Arsenic and Adobo
Y - On Borrowed Crime by Kate Young

F - Frightfully Fortune
I - Into the Dark
V - Scrooged by Vi Keeland
E - Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander

New challenge for me, but I'm going to give it a try

Symbols of the Month - May
Duration: 01 - 31 May 2021
Level: Hard (5-7 symbols)

Naming - Maia who was the Goddess of Spring in Italy: Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.

Zodiac - Taurus: Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living

Zodiac - Gemini: Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow

Gemstone - Emerald & Agate: Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover.
Robert Louis Stevenson 5/15/21

Flower - Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn: Read a book with a white, pink, or red cover.
Constance Barker 5/19/21

Color - Yellow & Green: Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)

Icons - Nightingale: Read a book where a character is lonely
Death of an English Muffin Victoria Hamilton 5/21/21. Barbara Beakman

Number 5: Read a book with a change of some sort in it,.
Aged for Murder Fiona Grace 5/5/21. Fiona changes careers and the country she lives in

Spell Out Words:
M- My Fair Latte Vickie Fee 5/22/21
A- Asking for Truffle Dorothy St. James 5/7/21
Y- You Are Special Max Lucado 5/22/21

F
I
V
E

May 1 - 31, 2021

Levels:
Easy: 1 symbol completed
Medium: 2-4 symbols completed
Hard: 5-7 symbols completed
Challenging: 8-9 symbols completed
On Fire: All symbols completed

8/7 complete HARD
2/7 letters

May Symbols:

🌷Naming: Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover. Deep Fried Revenge by Lynn Cahoon 05/12/21


🌷Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus until May 20-The Bull (The Taurus sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the head of the Bull.): Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living Gemini from May 21-The Twins (The Gemini sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the Roman numeral II to represent duality.): Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow Murder Made to Order by Lena Gregory 05/08/21


🌷Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover, a book with a storm or a character has a nightmare, or a book where a character is strong or holds out hope for something. - Have a Deadly New Year by Lynn Cahoon There is a blizzard and the characters are stuck in a cabin with a murderer. 05/08/21


🌷Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn: Read a book with a Lily of the Valley or a Hawthorn blossom on the cover, a book with a white, pink, or red cover, a book where a character is a virgin, or a book where a character is a bodyguard - Starboard Secrets by Hope Callaghan 05/09/21


🌷Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees on the cover or mentioned in the book (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!) Independent Bones by Carolyn Haines 05/29/21


🌷Color-Yellow & Green: Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade) Kittyzen's Arrest by Addison Moore & Bellamy Bloom 05/01/21


🌷Icons- Nightingale: Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely -Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory


🌷Number: 5 Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a book published in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task. Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber


Spell Out Words: May or Five

M - Murder Passes the Buck by Deb Baker
A
Y

F
I
V Victim in the Vineyard by Gemma Halliday
E

> Symbols of the Month-May Edition 2021
Level: easy 1 book

May Symbols:
Naming: Its name derives from the Latin term Maia who was the Goddess of Spring in Italy, and later married Vulcan. Her Roman counterpart was Bon Dea, associated with fertility. Her festival was held annually in May. Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.

Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus until May 20-The Bull (The Taurus sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the head of the Bull.): Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living Gemini from May 21-The Twins (The Gemini sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the Roman numeral II to represent duality.): Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow
blood red road - moira young (mc saba has a twin brother, lugh)

Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Emerald is the traditional birthstone for May and it is sacred to Venus, the Goddess of love, fertility and success. Wearing Emerald inspires hope in the weary heart and acts like a mental tonic. Agate is one of the earliest stones used as a talisman or amulet. It protects the bearer and gives them strength. If you have night terrors, place an Agate under your pillow. Babylonians used Agate to stave off storms. Light Workers tell us that Agate helps us process our feelings more effectively. Agate occurs in a wide range of colors, which include brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, and yellow. The colors are caused by impurities and occur as alternating bands within the agate. Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover, a book with a storm or a character has a nightmare, or a book where a character is strong or holds out hope for something.
The Black Echo - Michael Connelly (black cover) 5/23 -


Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn The birth flower for May is Lily of the Valley also known as the Mayflower. In the Language of Flowers it represents the return to happiness. It also denotes purity, joy, good fortune and modesty. Hawthorn has strong associations with the Beltane festival. In Celtic tradition it represents safety, balance and love. Fairies live beneath Hawthorn, whose spirit guards them dutifully. Read a book with a Lily of the Valley or a Hawthorn blossom on the cover, a book with a white, pink, or red cover, a book where a character is a virgin, or a book where a character is a bodyguard

Tree: Poplar, Chestynut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees on the cover (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!)

Color-Yellow & Green: Yellow is a very happy, warm color. It’s welcoming and cheerful. Green represents growth, newness and productivity, and is also associated with money and getting the “go ahead” (as in a green light). Green is soothing to the human soul and offers a sense of stability. Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)

Icons- Nightingale: One of the symbols for May is the Nightingale. Legend tells us that a Lily of the Valley loved a Nightingale. Night after night she listed to his song. Finally when the Nightingale became lonely and wearied of his singing alone, he asked the Lily of the Valley to raise her melodious voice every May so he could happily sing once more. Spiritually speaking, Nightingale speaks of liberation and immortality. Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely

Number: 5 In Numerology the sacred number Five is restless and doesn’t like settling down. This energetic figure is in perpetual motion, mixing up change. Working with Five vibrations means releasing constraints on your mind and spirit. If you have trouble taking risks, May is the month for that unusual leap of faith. Five is flexible, charming, forward thinking and very resourceful. When you are stuck in a rut, Five’s energy can dig you out. Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a book published in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task.

Spell Out Words: May or Five

May Symbols of the Month

READ: 7/7

✔️Naming: Its name derives from the Latin term Maia who was the Goddess of Spring in Italy, and later married Vulcan. Her Roman counterpart was Bon Dea, associated with fertility. Her festival was held annually in May. ☀Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.
Heartless - Gail Carriger (MC is pregnant) 5/25


✔️Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus until May 20-The Bull (The Taurus sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the head of the Bull.): Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living Gemini from May 21-The Twins (The Gemini sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the Roman numeral II to represent duality.): ☀Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow
Lethal Lies - Rebecca Zanetti (blood brothers #2) 5/10


✔️Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Emerald is the traditional birthstone for May and it is sacred to Venus, the Goddess of love, fertility and success. Wearing Emerald inspires hope in the weary heart and acts like a mental tonic. Agate is one of the earliest stones used as a talisman or amulet. It protects the bearer and gives them strength. If you have night terrors, place an Agate under your pillow. Babylonians used Agate to stave off storms. Light Workers tell us that Agate helps us process our feelings more effectively. Agate occurs in a wide range of colors, which include brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, and yellow. The colors are caused by impurities and occur as alternating bands within the agate. ☀Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover, a book with a storm or a character has a nightmare, or a book where a character is strong or holds out hope for something.
All the Tides of Fate - Adalyn Grace 5/7


✔️Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn The birth flower for May is Lily of the Valley also known as the Mayflower. In the Language of Flowers it represents the return to happiness. It also denotes purity, joy, good fortune and modesty. Hawthorn has strong associations with the Beltane festival. In Celtic tradition it represents safety, balance and love. Fairies live beneath Hawthorn, whose spirit guards them dutifully. ☀Read a book with a Lily of the Valley or a Hawthorn blossom on the cover, a book with a white, pink, or red cover, a bookwhere a character is a virgin, or a book where a character is a bodyguard
The Watchers of Eden - T.C. Edge 5/20


✔️Color-Yellow & Green: Yellow is a very happy, warm color. It’s welcoming and cheerful. Green represents growth, newness and productivity, and is also associated with money and getting the “go ahead” (as in a green light). Green is soothing to the human soul and offers a sense of stability. ☀Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)
Dangerous Prey - Lindsay McKenna 5/14


✔️Icons- Nightingale: One of the symbols for May is the Nightingale. Legend tells us that a Lily of the Valley loved a Nightingale. Night after night she listed to his song. Finally when the Nightingale became lonely and wearied of his singing alone, he asked the Lily of the Valley to raise her melodious voice every May so he could happily sing once more. Spiritually speaking, Nightingale speaks of liberation and immortality. ☀Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely
Outfoxed by Love - Eve Langlais (villain is lonely and misunderstood) 5/17


✔️Number: 5 In Numerology the sacred number Five is restless and doesn’t like settling down. This energetic figure is in perpetual motion, mixing up change. Working with Five vibrations means releasing constraints on your mind and spirit. If you have trouble taking risks, May is the month for that unusual leap of faith. Five is flexible, charming, forward thinking and very resourceful. When you are stuck in a rut, Five’s energy can dig you out. ☀Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a bookpublished in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task.
The Dry - Jane Harper (pub May 31, 2016) 5/1


CHALLENGE COMPLETE

Symbols of the Month Challenge
May 2021

My Symbols of the Month Challenge (msg 10)

Books read: 12

Tasks



✔Naming
🔹Read a book with a pregnant character
🔹Falling for Her Husband - 05.01 ★★★

✔Zodiac: Taurus
🔹Read a book where a character raises cattle for a living
🔹Wife for a Day - 05.17 ★★★

✔Zodiac: Twins
🔹Read a book featuring twins somehow
🔹Falling for My Enemy - 05.05 ★★★★

✔Gemstone: Emerald & Agate
🔹Read a book with a storm
🔹Stormy Montana Sky - 05.26 ★★★

✔Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn
🔹Read a book with a white, pink, or red cover
🔹Special Delivery - 05.02 ★★★

✔Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn
🔹Read a book with one of these trees on the cover
🔹Nauti Angel - 05.02 ★★★★

✔Color: Yellow & Green
🔹Read a book with a yellow or green cover
🔹Can't Fight This Feeling - 05.23 ★★★★

✔Icons: Nightingale
🔹Read a book featuring a character that is a singer
🔹Play - 05.15 ★★★★

✔Number: 5
🔹Read a book where a character has to be flexible or charming
🔹Mister Romance - 05.14 ★★★★


Spell-out



✔🔹M: Miracle Pie - 05.29 ★★★
✔🔹A: Ayers, E. - A Child's Heart - 05.14 ★★★
✔🔹Y: You Belong with Me - 05.08 ★★★

Medium: 2-4 symbols completed

May Symbols:

Naming: Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.

Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus - Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living. Gemini - Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow

✔ Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Read a book with a storm. What We Buried - 5/28/21


✔Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn. Read a book with a red cover - The Red Book


Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees on the cover (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!)

Color: Yellow & Green: Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)

Icons:Nightingale. Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely

Number: 5. Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a book published in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task.

✔ Spell Out Words: May or Five
M - Brandon Massey - The Quiet Ones
A - Annie Ward - Beautiful Bad: A Novel
Y - You Let Me in

I have a question regarding the tree symbol. Can the specific tree be mentioned in the book or does it have to be on the cover?

Symbols of the Month - May

Duration: 01 - 31 May 2021
Level: Hard (5-7 symbols)


May Symbols:
Naming: Read a book with a pregnant character, a farmer character, or a book with a flower or flowers, a vegetable garden, or a farm on the cover.

Zodiac: (each sign counts as 1 symbol) Taurus until May 20-The Bull (The Taurus sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the head of the Bull.): Read a book with a bull on the cover or a book where a character raises cattle for a living Gemini from May 21-The Twins (The Gemini sign symbol is usually depicted as a very simple graphic meant to resemble the Roman numeral II to represent duality.): Read the second book in a series or a book featuring twins somehow
Wrath of Empire by Brian McClellan

Gemstone-Emerald & Agate: Emerald is the traditional birthstone for May and it is sacred to Venus, the Goddess of love, fertility and success. Wearing Emerald inspires hope in the weary heart and acts like a mental tonic. Agate is one of the earliest stones used as a talisman or amulet. It protects the bearer and gives them strength. If you have night terrors, place an Agate under your pillow. Babylonians used Agate to stave off storms. Light Workers tell us that Agate helps us process our feelings more effectively. Agate occurs in a wide range of colors, which include brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, and yellow. The colors are caused by impurities and occur as alternating bands within the agate. Read a book with a brown, white, red, gray, pink, black, yellow or dark green cover, a book with a storm or a character has a nightmare, or a book where a character is strong or holds out hope for something.

Flower: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn The birth flower for May is Lily of the Valley also known as the Mayflower. In the Language of Flowers it represents the return to happiness. It also denotes purity, joy, good fortune and modesty. Hawthorn has strong associations with the Beltane festival. In Celtic tradition it represents safety, balance and love. Fairies live beneath Hawthorn, whose spirit guards them dutifully. Read a book with a Lily of the Valley or a Hawthorn blossom on the cover, a book with a white, pink, or red cover, a book where a character is a virgin, or a book where a character is a bodyguard

Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn: Read a book with one of these trees on the cover (Google the tree for images to match with your cover!)

Color-Yellow & Green: Yellow is a very happy, warm color. It’s welcoming and cheerful. Green represents growth, newness and productivity, and is also associated with money and getting the “go ahead” (as in a green light). Green is soothing to the human soul and offers a sense of stability. Read a book with a yellow or green cover (any shade)


Icons- Nightingale: One of the symbols for May is the Nightingale. Legend tells us that a Lily of the Valley loved a Nightingale. Night after night she listed to his song. Finally when the Nightingale became lonely and wearied of his singing alone, he asked the Lily of the Valley to raise her melodious voice every May so he could happily sing once more. Spiritually speaking, Nightingale speaks of liberation and immortality. Read a book featuring a nightingale, a character that is a singer, or where a character is lonely

Number: 5 In Numerology the sacred number Five is restless and doesn’t like settling down. This energetic figure is in perpetual motion, mixing up change. Working with Five vibrations means releasing constraints on your mind and spirit. If you have trouble taking risks, May is the month for that unusual leap of faith. Five is flexible, charming, forward thinking and very resourceful. When you are stuck in a rut, Five’s energy can dig you out. Read a book with a change of some sort in it, where a character has to be flexible or charming, or where a character steps out of their comfort zone and takes a risk. Participants can also read a book published in May of any year or published in any month of 2005 for this task.



Spell Out: Five
F
I
V
E

Shelly wrote: "I have a question regarding the tree symbol. Can the specific tree be mentioned in the book or does it have to be on the cover?"

Sorry for the late reply, Shelly! The task specifically says to find the tree on the cover, but a lot of folks are having trouble finding covers with the specific trees on it, so I will allow having the tree mentioned in the book as well. I'll edit the challenge to reflect this, and make the change for future installments as well!

All right, thanks, Trea! I'll pay more attention to mentions of trees in books going forward.

⚜️Trea wrote: "Shelly wrote: "I have a question regarding the tree symbol. Can the specific tree be mentioned in the book or does it have to be on the cover?"

Sorry for the late reply, Shelly! The task specifica..."

Thank you so much! Most of the books I read have books on the covers. Unless it’s a pine tree or palm tree I can’t recognize it 😆

Finished in Message 7

Kellene wrote: "Finished in Message 7"

Congrats!

Completed! Thanks!
Updated post: My Symbols of the Month Challenge (msg 10)

Books read: 12

LaurLa wrote: "Completed! Thanks!
Updated post: My Symbols of the Month Challenge (msg 10)

Books read: 12"

Congrats!

Sad to say I still didn't find a tree in May. 🙄🤣 See message 4 for my completed challenge.

Thanks for another fun one! Looking forward to July's,

Meg wrote: "Sad to say I still didn't find a tree in May. 🙄🤣 See message 4 for my completed challenge.

Thanks for another fun one! Looking forward to July's,"

Congrats! Sorry to hear about the tree...but glad to hear that you're looking forward to July's!